I have found securing the board with a bit of tape, hemostat, or card holder to prevent movement will relieve a good deal of frustration.
I have learned, through many years of soldering, the prudence of applying a bit of solder to the tip of the iron before returning it to the stand. The solder will oxidize instead of the iron tip to be easily removed by the wet sponge. An oxidized tip will produce much grief when soldering.
Finally, clean leads of the parts to be soldered with a good grade of alcohol and the solder will flow fully into the joint. (rubbing alcohol is bad stuff).
Enjoy.

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